Why do we work for good in the public sphere? How should we interact with those with whom we disagree? How does voting work?

Of course, if you have a four-year-old, as I do, most of this will just be white noise to them and after what you think is a very thoughtful, nuanced conversation, they will look up at you and say, “So are you going to be president, Mommy?”

Um, no. But I’m glad we had this talk.

6. Reflect on elections past

Where were you in November 2012? 2008? 2004? Back even farther?

My husband and I talked through our election history together. When the hanging chads debacle began, we were students in Oxford. Not dating. No romantic interest. But lots of deep intellectual conversations which, in retrospect, paved the way for some serious romantic interest only months later.